288 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
Macprm, Pica caudata.—Yarrell, in his ‘ British Birds,’ says, 
“In my note-book I have a memorandum that I once counted 
twenty-three Magpies together in Kensington Gardens.” In 1856 
a pair of Magpies frequented and built their nest in Kensington 
Gardens. Formerly this bird was common enough in the trees of 
our parks, and Mr. Harting (1. c.) has given an amusing anecdote of 
the Magpies’ nests in St. James’s Park in the time of Charles I. 
Great Srorrep WoopreckErR, Picus major.—A few years ago 
this was comparatively a common bird in Kensington Gardens. 
Yarrell says, “‘ The Woodpeckers are frequently seen here; and 
the keeper at the Bayswater Gate reared up a family of the young 
of this species.” 
Lesser SporreD Wooprecker, Picus minor.—Like the last- 
named, much commoner a few years ago. I have seen this bird 
frequently in Kensington Gardens up to 1866. It is very rarely 
observed now, but one was seen as late as May, 1878. 
Wryneck, Yunx torquilla.—A casual visitor. Up to 1850 this 
bird might be seen and heard in Kensington Gardens. Its peculiar 
plaintive cry, hardly to be called a song, once heard cannot be 
mistaken. 
Common CREEPER, Certhia familiaris.—A casual visitor. If 
carefully looked after, a year seldom passes without this bird 
being seen in Kensington Gardens. Mr. Bartlett has recorded 
its occurrence in the Regent's Park. 
Wren, T'roglodytes vulgaris.—The loud note of the Wren may 
often be heard in the London parks and gardens, especially in 
Kensington Gardens and the Regent’s Park, in both of which 
localities it breeds every year. I have heard it also in the gardens 
of Portman Square. “The Wren with little quill” has been always 
considered a kind of sacred bird :— 
“The Robin Redbreast and the Wren 
Are God Almighty’s cock and hen.” 
And I can well remember, as a boy, with what horror we regarded 
the idea of killing either of these birds. Drayton has— 
“And near at hand I happily espy’d 
The Hedgesparrow and her compeer the Wren, 
Which simple people call Our Lady’s hen.” 
“Simple people,’ too, still believe that the Robin and the 
Wren are male and female of one species. 
